Rally Monte Carlo Results
1. Sebastien LOEB (F) Citroen Xsara 4: 29: 11.4 0.0
2. Colin MCRAE (GB) Citroen Xsara 4: 29: 49.5 + 38.1
3. Carlos SAINZ (E) Citroen Xsara 4: 30: 03.6 + 52.2
4. Markko MDRRIN (EE) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 4: 30: 06.9 + 55.5
5. Richard Burns (GB) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 32: 27.9 + 3: 16.5
6. Cedric ROBERT (F) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 34: 28.1 + 5: 16.7
7. Francois DUVAL (B) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 4: 34: 28.5 + 5: 17.1
8. Armin SCHWARZ (D) Hyundai Accent WRC 4: 35: 53.7 + 6: 42.3
9. Didier AURIOL (F) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 4: 36: 25.2 + 7: 13.8
10. Roman KRESTA (CZ) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 37: 02.3 + 7: 50.9
Comment
The famous Monte Carlo curse hit the Peugeot again and expanded to Subaru this year as well. Citroen took advantage of it by making 1-2-3 and passing a good message on the championship. Ford's youths didn't go bad, but they still have a long way to go.
Let's go:
Peugeot
Gronholm got off to a good start, finishing first on the first day but on the 9 special and while he was first pressed by Citroen, he hit a rock and destroyed the steering wheel. He repaired it himself (!!!) by losing 30 minutes and also ate a penalty for delaying the technical inspection and essentially getting out of the race. He continued and eventually shut down 13os just to give Peugeot manufacturer ratings.
Burns struggled but a series of technical problems and poor choices did not let him get into the fight. He should not be too unhappy with the final fifth place.
Panizzi with his 60 punch risked a weird choice of tires that didn't come out. So he lost a lot of time to the first specialists, he had a health problem (low pressure) and eventually quit without getting into the race (consistently out of the top ten).
Subaru
Solberg also started well, pressed Gronholm and finally got off the 5 special while he was second, leaving the Citroen open.
Makinen disappointed again, many effortless mistakes, never entered the race, finally got off the road in the 5 special while he was ninth.
Ford
Martin did what he could, smartly and quickly drove the relatively slow Ford asphalt, held close to the sixth and attacked on the last day but failed to break Citroen's 1-2-3 for 3 by staying fourth.
Duval did the same, taking advantage of the larger names and faster car bans and was placed sixth.
Hirvonen was never in the top ten to finally leave after leaving the 8 special.
Citroen
Loeb did very well throughout the race. He chased Solberg and Gronholm, when he came second he pressured Gronholm, ate 15 + difference each special, and eventually took advantage of Gronholm's accident, passed first and led wisely to victory.
McRae showed a good level of familiarity with the car, went fast, didn't miss the Trinity, and finally came second in a very good start to his new car.
Likewise, things were good for Elder Sainz. Even though it ended with Citroen last minute, even though it had barely drove its new car, despite years of having a new co-driver, it showed its class. He was constantly at the helm, pushing the forwards, taking advantage of the rest and problems of the others, and came in third after a battle with Martin.
Conclusions for follow-up. Probably Citroen is going well. Loeb looks mature while McRae and Sainz seem to acclimatize quickly. Peugeot will not go for a walk but remains the best car in comparison, Gronholm in his good days is a ruthless Burns fighter. The Subaru is now frustrated by Makinen, at five for big things Solberg, and so is Ford's Martin.
Betting report
It became one satisfactory principle. The 20 units which I suggested as a total bet for the rally they gave back 35 based on the original proposal (7u on Loeb @5.00) or 45 based on improved (9u on Loeb @5.00).
For the champion I think the placement of McRae and Sainz was a good move, I expect a drop in their returns, to Makinen it was probably a bad move but let's wait to see what happens next. I'd like to make one bet on Gronholm but I want performance over 2.75 so it may never happen. If anyone finds such performance let's throw a notice.
1. Sebastien LOEB (F) Citroen Xsara 4: 29: 11.4 0.0
2. Colin MCRAE (GB) Citroen Xsara 4: 29: 49.5 + 38.1
3. Carlos SAINZ (E) Citroen Xsara 4: 30: 03.6 + 52.2
4. Markko MDRRIN (EE) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 4: 30: 06.9 + 55.5
5. Richard Burns (GB) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 32: 27.9 + 3: 16.5
6. Cedric ROBERT (F) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 34: 28.1 + 5: 16.7
7. Francois DUVAL (B) Ford Focus RS WRC 02 4: 34: 28.5 + 5: 17.1
8. Armin SCHWARZ (D) Hyundai Accent WRC 4: 35: 53.7 + 6: 42.3
9. Didier AURIOL (F) Skoda Octavia WRC Evo 3 4: 36: 25.2 + 7: 13.8
10. Roman KRESTA (CZ) Peugeot 206 WRC 4: 37: 02.3 + 7: 50.9
Comment
The famous Monte Carlo curse hit the Peugeot again and expanded to Subaru this year as well. Citroen took advantage of it by making 1-2-3 and passing a good message on the championship. Ford's youths didn't go bad, but they still have a long way to go.
Let's go:
Peugeot
Gronholm got off to a good start, finishing first on the first day but on the 9 special and while he was first pressed by Citroen, he hit a rock and destroyed the steering wheel. He repaired it himself (!!!) by losing 30 minutes and also ate a penalty for delaying the technical inspection and essentially getting out of the race. He continued and eventually shut down 13os just to give Peugeot manufacturer ratings.
Burns struggled but a series of technical problems and poor choices did not let him get into the fight. He should not be too unhappy with the final fifth place.
Panizzi with his 60 punch risked a weird choice of tires that didn't come out. So he lost a lot of time to the first specialists, he had a health problem (low pressure) and eventually quit without getting into the race (consistently out of the top ten).
Subaru
Solberg also started well, pressed Gronholm and finally got off the 5 special while he was second, leaving the Citroen open.
Makinen disappointed again, many effortless mistakes, never entered the race, finally got off the road in the 5 special while he was ninth.
Ford
Martin did what he could, smartly and quickly drove the relatively slow Ford asphalt, held close to the sixth and attacked on the last day but failed to break Citroen's 1-2-3 for 3 by staying fourth.
Duval did the same, taking advantage of the larger names and faster car bans and was placed sixth.
Hirvonen was never in the top ten to finally leave after leaving the 8 special.
Citroen
Loeb did very well throughout the race. He chased Solberg and Gronholm, when he came second he pressured Gronholm, ate 15 + difference each special, and eventually took advantage of Gronholm's accident, passed first and led wisely to victory.
McRae showed a good level of familiarity with the car, went fast, didn't miss the Trinity, and finally came second in a very good start to his new car.
Likewise, things were good for Elder Sainz. Even though it ended with Citroen last minute, even though it had barely drove its new car, despite years of having a new co-driver, it showed its class. He was constantly at the helm, pushing the forwards, taking advantage of the rest and problems of the others, and came in third after a battle with Martin.
Conclusions for follow-up. Probably Citroen is going well. Loeb looks mature while McRae and Sainz seem to acclimatize quickly. Peugeot will not go for a walk but remains the best car in comparison, Gronholm in his good days is a ruthless Burns fighter. The Subaru is now frustrated by Makinen, at five for big things Solberg, and so is Ford's Martin.
Betting report
It became one satisfactory principle. The 20 units which I suggested as a total bet for the rally they gave back 35 based on the original proposal (7u on Loeb @5.00) or 45 based on improved (9u on Loeb @5.00).
For the champion I think the placement of McRae and Sainz was a good move, I expect a drop in their returns, to Makinen it was probably a bad move but let's wait to see what happens next. I'd like to make one bet on Gronholm but I want performance over 2.75 so it may never happen. If anyone finds such performance let's throw a notice.